Bringing up beaver

On May 10, 2020, an orphaned beaver kit was found in St. Albans, Vermont, and brought to John Aberth, a licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitator. Aberth nicknamed the kit "BK" and spent the next two years raising him, with the aim of preparing him to live in the wild again. He kept a daily diary of the process, and that diary is the foundation of this book.

The account follows the close bond that grew between the man and the young beaver. It is also a practical record of what it takes to rehabilitate a wild beaver kit, including the obstacles that came up along the way and how they were dealt with. Along the way Aberth shares observations about how beavers behave and how their bodies work.

BK is not the only animal in the story. Aberth's rehabilitation work brought him into contact with other beavers, one of whom became BK's mate, as well as hawks, owls, mink and weasels.

The book is a warm story of an encounter with nature that also offers a closer look at the wildlife around us. Readers who enjoyed Fox and I or Eager may find it to their taste.